The Atlanta Falcons are going to be without star wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least another season, and Ridley is already offering his own explanation.
The NFL announced on Monday that it would be suspending Ridley indefinitely for at least the 2022 season after the league determined that Ridley gambled on NFL games while he was away from the Falcons. Ridley stepped away from football in October to focus on his mental health and did not rejoin the Falcons that season.
Though Ridley does have the option to appeal the suspension, the Falcons receiver didn’t deny what happened. Instead, shortly after news of the suspension was announced, Ridley took to Twitter to say that he only gambled $1,500 and that he doesn’t have a gambling problem. He also posted a cryptic tweet on Sunday that makes more sense now.
He added that he couldn’t even watch football at that point.
Assuming Ridley is cleared to return for 2023, he would be turning 29 years old that season.
Those $1,500 of bets ended up costing Ridley the $11.1 million he would have been paid in 2022. That portion of his contract moves to 2023 if he is reinstated.
